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Lily_lili Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Prefer....
Hi. I just have a question. Can "instead of" and "than" follow after "prefer"? Example:
I prefer going to the cinema instead of shopping. OR
I prefer red than yellow.
I have learned from my grammar book that it has to be "to", like "I prefer red to yellow". But i'm just wondering if there are different words that can be used instead of "to", somehow it sounds odd to me.
Thanks.
I prefer going to the cinema instead of shopping. OR
I prefer red than yellow.
I have learned from my grammar book that it has to be "to", like "I prefer red to yellow". But i'm just wondering if there are different words that can be used instead of "to", somehow it sounds odd to me.
Thanks.
Top answer
To me, a not-as-young-as-I-used-to-be speaker of British English, only 'to' sounds really natural, although I hear and see 'than' or 'rather than'. I don't think I'd call 'instead of' incorrect , although it sounds natural to me only in such contrived contexts as: A: Herr Schmidt has resigned, and we can't find anyone to replace him. I am afraid you'll have to take French instead of German next year.
- To me, a not-as-young-as-I-used-to-be speaker of British English, only 'to' sounds really natural, although I hear and see 'than' or 'rather than'.
- I don't think I'd call 'instead of' incorrect , although it sounds natural to me only in such contrived contexts as: A: Herr Schmidt has resigned, and we can't find anyone to replace him.
- I am afraid you'll have to take French instead of German next year.
- B: I'd prefer Spanish instead of German to/rather than French (instead of German).
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5 Answers
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To me, a not-as-young-as-I-used-to-be speaker of British English, only 'to' sounds really natural, although I hear and see 'than' or 'rather than'. I don't think I'd call 'instead of' incorrect, although it sounds natural to me only in such contrived contexts as:
A: Herr Schmidt has resigned, and we can't find anyone to replace him. I am afraid you'll have to take French instea
A: Herr Schmidt has resigned, and we can't find anyone to replace him. I am afraid you'll have to take French instea
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lily_liliCan "instead of" and "than" follow after "prefer"?My instincts tell me that 'instead of' or 'rather than' will work in casual contexts, but that 'than' won't do at all.
I'd say 'to' is best and 'over' is second best.
CJ
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I prefer red than yellow.
If you want to use 'rather', with 'prefer', then the sentence, if I am not wrong, should be:
I prefer red rather than yellow.
If you want to use 'rather', with 'prefer', then the sentence, if I am not wrong, should be:
I prefer red rather than yellow.
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If I am not wrong, 'rather than' used with 'prefer' is fine in the following sentences.
I prefer going to the cinema rather than shopping.
I prefer red rather than yellow.
I prefer going to the cinema rather than shopping.
I prefer red rather than yellow.
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AnonymousI prefer red than yellow.If you want to use 'rather', with 'prefer', then the sentence, if I am not wrong, should be:I prefer red rather than yellow.The above post is mine. I forgot to log in.
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